Eastie Week: sharing art, songs and neighborhood bonds makes this annual festival special
By hola | Published | No Comments
COMMENTARY
This year was my first time participating in Eastie Week, and honestly, I couldn’t have wished to be with a better group of people. I went with my coworkers Mary and Diego, and our supervisor Christine. We are working on an oral history project this summer, but on Fridays, we take field trips. We spent July 18 at Eastie Week, which celebrates the rich, vibrant and resilient community of East Boston, its people, history, culture, music and art. This year marked the 12th annual Eastie Week, and I got to experience some of the free and low-cost community-led activities that made it special.
We started at the ICA Watershed. Though our visit was short, Chiharu Shiota’s very detailed Home Less Home made no less of an impression. All the string hanging from the ceiling in the exhibit made me feel small compared to the world. I started to think, maybe my problems aren’t as big as I make them out to be. When we reached the end, there was an area for drawing, and I got to draw a place that was important to me. It was such a calming moment; it distracted me from everything. The backside of the paper had space to write a quote or message and post it on a board. That meant a lot to me. It reminded me of how words can connect people.
After that, we went to Eastie Farms. It’s just three blocks from my house, but somehow I’d never been there before. I had no idea what I was missing. All the food and the story behind the farm were amazing. Everyone was really kindhearted, especially the lady who gave out tea and some truly delicious jam. We asked for seconds, and she gave them gladly.
Everyone at Eastie Week seemed eager to share something personal, to connect. I didn’t see one sad face. From free drawings and singing to trading clothes and sharing stories — the day was packed with activities. I signed up for a food composting session, and the people running it answered all my questions, making the whole process easy.
The clothing swap run by Sustainable Swaps was awesome too. I learned about how many natural resources go into making just one shirt and got to see vintage styles that are rare nowadays. I’ve been really into clothes lately, so this made me feel welcomed.
At Maverick Landing Community Services’ kickback in Lombardi Memorial Park, we met State Rep. Adrian C. Madaro, the Democrat representing East Boston. He was super nice and seemed to know everyone. That’s when it really hit me: East Boston comes together in moments like these. Regardless of your race or background, you get to show up as yourself and feel supported.
Later on, we went kayaking. It was my first time. I was nervous and scared because I hadn’t gone swimming in a year, but the staff at Piers Park Sailing Center made the instructions easy to understand. That made me feel safe. I went with my coworker, Mary, and it was awesome. I enjoyed it so much that I went back out a second time.
Being in the water and participating in all these activities made me realize how detached I am from nature. Nowadays, I get frustrated if my computer lags for even two seconds, but connecting with nature and a patient world made me realize I need to be more patient and grateful that I even have a computer that works.
To end the day, we saw Veronica Robles perform in the lot at 102 Border St. The colors were so bright you could see them from far away. Her energy was amazing, and she shared her goals and plans with us. Her kindness matched the beauty of her performance.
Through all this, I learned that Eastie Week isn’t just a bunch of events. It’s a reminder that our community is alive, creative and generous. Everyone brings a little piece of themselves, whether it’s jam, a song or just a smile. It made me feel like East Boston is not just where I live, it’s where I belong.
— Story by Jeronimo Palacio
— Copy edited by Kami Waller
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